Recreating The Glory Of Steam: Live Steam Model Trains

Live steam model trains are fascinating; they recreate the glory which was steam power. They are usually built from scratch by enthusiasts who are in love with railroads and old steam power. Live steam model trains aren’t just models; they’re real trains capable of hauling people and boxcars. Live steam enthusiasts are found all over the world, building for no one but themselves. They share their enthusiasm with their friends and family, creating bonds by working together.

Although a few manufacturers sell pre-assembled live steam model trains and model kits, most of these wonders of engineering are created by hand and from scratch. Many people dedicate themselves to building a great replica of real steam locomotives. They find the original erection cards and frame drawings to help them better understand the construction of the train and what might need to be changed. They then use drafting software to build their plans for the live steam model trains and carefully test the plans for flaws and weaknesses. After months of careful planning, they order materials and begin building. Construction and testing take just as long, if not longer. Even after they’re done with the train, these hobbyists spend years and years maintaining it and making it better.

The most important aspect of this hobby is the locomotive, since it is the power source that pulls the train. Quite a few brands of locomotives are actually powered by steam pressure generated inside their boilers by a fire in a firebox. With alcohol or butane lighter cartridges as a fuel source, these live steam model trains are not really toys. As a beginner, you may be able to find the locomotives as kits or even already assembled. Later, when you have acquired a better understanding of live steam model trains, you can try your hand at creating them from scratch.

Although most live steam model trains are indeed powered by steam, some diesel and electric models are built in the same scales and gauges. These models generally use gasoline engines or automobile batteries to run.

Many people who work with live steam model trains are involved with live steam clubs. The clubs can sometimes offer storage for the engines, which are heavy and difficult to move around. Many clubs own a plot of land that can be used for layouts of track. You can find a list of clubs by searching online or by reading one of the hobby magazines, such as Live Steam.

For more information concerning live steam model trains, refer to the links below. Be sure to check out our pages about Model Train Sets, Bachman Model Trains, Ho Model Trains, and Lionel Model Trains elsewhere on this site.